Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To lower someone's spirits; to make someone feel sad, disheartened, or dejected. * This action involves causing a negative emotional state, often characterized by disappointment, loss of hope, or low morale.

Usage and Examples

The verb "cast down" is used to describe the action of making someone feel unhappy or discouraged. It is typically followed by a direct object (the person whose spirits are lowered).

• Basic Usage:
  • The constant criticism from his boss cast him down. (The criticism made him feel disheartened.)
  • She tried not to let the bad news cast her down. (She tried not to let the news make her sad.)
  • Failing the exam cast the entire class down. (Failing made the whole class feel dejected.)

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• Formal/Literary Tone: "Cast down" is more common in formal or literary contexts. In everyday speech, words like "depress," "discourage," or "dishearten" are often used.
• Passive Voice: It is frequently used in the passive voice to describe the state of the person affected.
  • He felt cast down by the rejection. (He felt dejected because of the rejection.)
  • Her expression was cast down after hearing the results. (She looked very sad.)

Variants and Related Words

• Downcast (adjective): Showing signs of being sad or discouraged.
  • He walked away with a downcast expression.
• Casting down (gerund/noun): The act of causing dejection.
  • The casting down of their spirits was evident.

Synonyms

• Depress: To make someone feel utterly disheartened or sad.
• Discourage: To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
• Dispirit: To cause someone to lose hope or spirit.
• Demoralize: To undermine the confidence or morale of someone.
• Deject: To make someone sad and dispirited (formal).

Antonyms

• Cheer up: To make someone happier.
• Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
• Uplift: To raise someone's spirits or morale.
• Heartened: Made to feel more cheerful or confident.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be cast down: To be in a state of feeling sad or dejected.
  • After the team's loss, the players were visibly cast down.
• Cast down one's eyes: This is a separate, literal idiom meaning to look downwards, often due to shyness, shame, or modesty. It does not share the emotional meaning of "to dishearten."
  • She cast down her eyes when he complimented her.

Verb

1. lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
   • These news depressed her
   • The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her